Luzon Newsbits for May 15, 2013

Angeles City, Pampanga - The electorate in Angeles City has reelected Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan for a second term and saying "no" to the challenge of Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo "Tarzan" Lazatin. Based on official returns from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) this city, Pamintuan got a total 67,097 votes against Lazatin's 51,135. The mayor thanked the Angeleños and all the officers and members of the Partido Abe Kapampangan (PAK) of which he is the chairman. Meanwhile, Vice Governor Joseller "Yeng" Guiao was maintaining a slim lead in the race for 1st District representative based on partial and unofficial returns against Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno, with votes of 57,645 to 53,958. (Franco G. Regala)

ORTEGA DYNASTY LOSES ONE POST

San Fernando City, La Union - An Ortega has fallen in the capital of La Union as incumbent San Fernando City Vice Mayor Dong Gualberto defeated Board Member Pepe Ortega. "I dedicate this victory to the Lord and I thank my loyal supporters because they stood by me in this election," Gualberto said after being proclaimed at dawn Tuesday with other city winners led by reelected Mayor Pablo Ortega. Winners for San Fernando City councilors are Alfred Ortega, Paolo Ortega, Chary Nisce, Rudy Abat, Mario Lacsamana, Ramon Laudencia, Andre Dacanay, Lolita Dyquianco, Tony Jucar, Jojo de Guzman, Ferdinand Versoza and Wilfredo Ordoño. (Erwin G. Beleo)

MAYOR ALIVE

Dagupan City, Pangasinan - Mayor Benjamin Lim of this city is alive and his family is by his side praying for his complete recovery from a stroke, his son Brian Lim said yesterday. Brian, who was proclaimed vice mayor-elect of this city yesterday, belied reports circulating that his father had passed away. He said the mayor suffered a stroke and was hospitalized Sunday night after he failed to take his maintenance drugs to manage his blood sugar in the heat of last week's campaigning. Mayor Lim is currently in a hospital in Manila. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

ALL 4 GARCIAS TAKE BATAAN

Balanga City, Bataan - All of the four members of the Garcia family who ran in various elective positions in Bataan were enroute to victory in Monday's elections. Gov. Enrique "Tet" Garcia who ran for 2nd District congressman; his son Abet S. Garcia, who ran for governor; his other son Joet Garcia who sought reelection as mayor of Balanga City; and daughter Gila Garcia who ran for mayor of Dinalupihan were all expected to be proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday afternoon. Unofficial results released at noon yesterday showed Abet Garcia with 217,125 votes, reflecting a landslide win over opponent for governor Joel Payumo who only got 69,758 votes. (Mar T. Supnad)

BERSAMINS WIN

Bangued, Abra - Reelectionist-governor Eustaqiuo Bersamin won via landslide while his niece Chari Bersamin won also as his running mate for vice governor. Based on election partial returns, Eustaqiuo got 58,031 while his opponent Cecilia Luna garnered only 14,982 votes for governor. In vice gubernatorial race, Chari Bersamin, daughter of the late Rep. Chito Bersamin, got 50,083 vote compared to her opponent Mailed Molina who got only 17,590 votes. In the congressional race of Abra's lone district, Maria Jocelyn Bernos' 48,369 votes are tens of thousands ahead of her two rivals. (Mar T. Supnad)